The Czech Republic follows Trump's lead and recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence stands behind as U.S. President Donald Trump holds up the proclamation he signed that the United States recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and will move its embassy there, during an address from the White House in Washington, U.S., December 6, 2017.
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

The Czech Republic recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

US President Donald Trump made the US the first nation to do so earlier on Wednesday.

The Czech Republic on Wednesday followed US President Donald Trump's lead.

In a statement on its Foreign Ministry's web site, it said, "The Czech Republic currently, before the peace between Israel and Palestine is signed, recognizes Jerusalem to be in fact the capital of Israel in the borders of the demarcation line from 1967."

"The Czech Republic together with other EU member states, following the EU Foreign Affaires Council Conclusions, considers Jerusalem to be future capital of both states, meaning the State of Israel and the future State of Palestine."

In so doing, it took an unusual step of breaking with EU member states who hold Jerusalem should not recognized as Israel's capital until a final status agreement is reached.

But unlike the US, the Czech Foreign Ministry also said that it would only consider relocating its embassy based on results of negotiations.